Spring-suspension device



D B. WHITEHILL SPRING SUSPENSION DEVICE March 1 1927 Filed July 9, 1925 V lNVENTOR ATTO RN EY Patented Mar. 1, 1927.

UNITED STATES DAVID BROWN WHITEHILL, OF CLARENDON, PENNSYLVANIA.

SPRING-SUSPENSION DEVICE.

Application filed July 9,

This invention relates to a spring suspension device, and its object is to provide a structure of this character which is best adapted to be used in suspenders, and similar yieldable supports, where low cost, durability and easy action are important considerations. The device constituting the present invention is of the same general type as that shown in United States Patent 1,499,318, granted to me June 24, 1924, but embodies a number of improvements thereon, the nature and advantages of which will be more fully explained in the following de tailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, which illustrates the invention in its preferred form.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the end portion of a suspender strap with the invention applied thereto.

Figure 2 is a rear elevation of the same with a portion of the loop broken away.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, but showing the device stretched.

Figure 4 is a section taken on the line 1-4: of Figure 1.

The invention is illustrated in connection with a suspender strap 5 having a loop 6 connected thereto, which is adapted to support a button strap 7. A hook 8 engages the button strap 7 in the usual manner, and is provided with a flat elongated shank 9, having a slot 10 extending throughout the greater portion of its length, said shank terminating in a cross head 11, which extends laterally somewhat beyond the edges of the loop 6. The shank 9 and cross head 11 are adjacent the rear face of the loop 6, and headed pins 12 are secured in the ends of the cross head, and serve to connect it to the ends of a spring wire 13 which is located within the loop 6 and substantially covered thereby. The end portions of the spring wire 13 extend inwardly from the pins 12 and cross each other, extending thence downwardly near the side edges of the loop 6 where they form opposed loops 14, extending thence downwardly, as at 15, and forming another pair of loops 16. The opposite portions of the spring wire 13 are substantially symmetrical, and are connected together at their bases by a straight portion 17 at the lower fold of the loop 6, said connecting portion 17 being held underneath a headed pin 18, which pierces the lower end of the loop 6 and extends through the slot 10.

1925. Serial No. 42,547.

The spring wire is so tension-ed that the hook 8 is normally held in its uppermost position, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. lVhen the device is stretched, the hook 8 is guided downwardly by the slot 10 which is guided on the pin 18. The ends of the wire 13, which engage the pins 12, are drawn downwardly, drawing the loops lt inwardly. This'in turn draws the portions 15 inwardly contracting the loops 16 until the spring wire assumes the position shown in Figure 3. This is the limiting position, since the engagement of the pin 18 with the upper end of the slot 10 positively prevents further elongation. The spring wire lies substantially flat within the loop 6 and is protected thereby. It is so constructed that it will yield easily, while its movement is positively limited by the slot 10, so that it can not become bent beyond its elastic limit.

While I have shown the device as applied to a suspender strap, it is obvious that it may be used in other relations, wherever a spring suspension is desired. It will also be understood that various modifications may be made in the structural details of the invention without departing from its salient features as expressed in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A spring suspension device comprisin O a resilient wire formed with two opposed symmetrical portions which are united by a connecting portion and which extend rearwardly and cross each other, terminating in end portions which approach the line of the connecting portion at an acute angle, and a supporting member constituting a lostmotion connection between the ends of the wire and the connecting portion thereof to positively limit the yielding movement of the wire.

2. A spring suspension device comprising a resilient wire formed with two opposed symmetrical portions united by a connecting portion, each of said symmetrical portions forming a loop near the connecting por tion, extending thence approximately at a right angle to the connecting portion, then curving inwardly across the opposed symmetrical portion to approach the line of the connecting portion at an acute angle, and a supporting member constituting a lostmotion connection between the ends of the wire and the connecting portion thereof to positively limit the yielding movement of the wire.

3. A spring suspension device comprising a resilient wire formed with two opposed symmetrical portions which are united by a connecting portion and which extend rearwardly and cross each other, terminating in end portions which approach the line of the connecting portion at an acute angle, one or more loops being formed in each symmetrical portion between the point of crossing and the connecting portion, a pin engaging said connecting portion, and a supporting member connected to the ends of said wire and having a slot receiving said pin to positively limit the yielding movement of the wire.

4. A spring suspension device, comprising a resilient wire formed with two opposed symmetrical portions united at their bases inwardly and approaching the line of the bases at an acute'angle, means for exerting a pull upon the ends of said symmetrical portion in a direction to draw them toward said connecting portion, and means engageable with said connectingportion to oppose said pull.

5. A sprin suspension device comprising a resilient wire formed with two opposed symmetrical portions united by a connecting portion, each of vsaid symmetrical portions forming a loop adjacent the connecting portion, extending thence approximately at a right angle to aline connecting the two loops, then forming another loop similar to the first loop, then curving inwardly across the opposed symmetrical portion to approach said connecting line at an acute angle.

In testimony, that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto affixed my signature.

DAVID BROWN WHIT H L 

